Straight bar knitting machines



1960 c. K. WILLNER 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 21, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VHV TOR.

L'har/es KLl/il/ner Oct. 25, 1960 c. WILLNER 2,957,324

s'mrsa'r BAR KNITTING umcmrms Filed April 21, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Charles K U/f/lner C. K. WILLNER STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Oct. 25, 1960 Filed April 21, 1958 l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 ElE- EL I I26 I27 INVENTOR.

Charles K lM/lner Oct. 25, 1960 c; wg 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 21, 1958 11 sheets-sheet I35 la? a 4/5 349 4? 72 INVENTOR.

Char/e5 K LUi/lner Oct. 25, 1960 c, \MLLNER 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 21, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Li p} IN VEN TOR.

Charles K LU/l/ner Oct. 25, 1960 c. K. WlLLNER I 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 21, 1958 1 Sheets-Sheet a FlE- EE1 A9016 5D I N V EN TOR.

Char/es K LUf/lner Oct. 25, 1960 c. K. WILLNER 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 2 1958 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 3lAPlr2- Z|U 2&5 205 so; 325 729/ 387 20 P1 cs- 3 E IN V EN TOR.

as 242 276 24/ Char/es K U/i/lner Oct. 25, 1960 c, w E 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 21, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 26 INVENTOR.

Char/es A. Ll/i/lner Oct. 25, 1960 c. K. WILLNER 2,957,324

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACH INES Filed April 21, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 1-1 435 437 436 INVENTM Char/e5 Af (MY/mar United States. Patent 2,957,324 Patented Oct. 25, 1930 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINES Charles K. Willner, 8236 Provident St, Philadelphia 50, Pa.

Filed Apr. 21, 1953, Ser. No. 729503 Claims. c1. 66-6) This invention relates to improvements to straight knitting machines and more particularly to such machines having vertically movable needles cooperating with other loop forming elements to form plain knit fashioned fabrics and horizontal needles adapted to at times cooperate with the vertical needles to form rib knitted portions to the plain knit fabric.

In the manufacture of garments such as sweaters and the like, the body and sleeve sections are usually made of plain fabric and these sections are provided with band or cuff portions made of rib fabric the latter having an inherent elasticity causing it to snugly fit and maintain the garment in position on the wearer. Heretofore, the various plain knit body sections were commonly knitted on flat bed knitting machines to the approximate width and the fabric portions were then cut to the desired shape. Following the cutting and shaping operation separately formed rib sections were sewed to the body portions and the edges of the sections were then sewed to each other to form the completed garments. However, While the rib portions of the garments made in this manner have sufficient elasticity to maintain their shape through repeated usage, the plain fabric portions, having little or no elasticity, lost their original shape completely after the first use, thereby resulting in an ill-fitting and unsightly appearing garment. In addition to the above objections, the manufacturing costs were also high due to the number and complexity of the fabricating operations required and the wasted material resulting from the cutting of the garment sections to shape.

In efforts to obtain good fitting qualities in both the plain and rib fabric portions of the sweater garments, the rib portions were knitted on a rib knitting machine and these portions were then topped on the needles of a full-fashioned knitted machine. During the subsequent operation of the machine the body sections were knitted to the rib portions and the edges of the sections were fashioned to the required shape. While this latter method of manufacture resulted in a much better fitting garment, the number of manufacturing operations and the additional personnel and equipment necessary to carry out these operations resulted in only a slight decrease in the manufacturing costs over the former methods of manufacture.

It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide means in a knitting machine for overcoming the above noted and other objections heretofore encountered in the manufacture of garment fabrics having plain and rib knitted portions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fullfashioned knitting machine with a vertically movable group of spring beard needles and horizontally movable group of latch needles and with means for operating the vertical needles to form plain fabric portion and for operating the horizontal needles with the vertical needles to form rib fabric portions to the plain fabric portions.

A further object is to provide a full-fashioned knitting machine with means for operating the vertical needles in cooperation with the other usual loop forming elements of such machines to knit plain loop fabric portions and to fashion such fabric portions and with means for discontinuing the operation of the other loop forming elements and to operate the horizontal needles with the vertical needles to knit unfashioned rib fabric portions to plain loop portions.

Another object is to provide means for inactivating the operating means for the horizontal needles when the vertical needles and other loop forming elements of the machine are in operation to form plain fabric.

A still further object is to provide means to separate the vertical needles into two groups and to move the needles of one group from an active position in which they operate in unison with the needles of the other group to inactive position at the time the horizontal needles and active vertical needles are in operation together.

Another object is to provide operating means to individually advance and retract the horizontal needles between the active vertical needles to form the rib fabric loops and after return of the inactive group of vertical needles to active position to move the horizontal needles to an advanced position so that during operation of the vertical needles the loops will be transferred thereto, the operating means also acting to withdraw the horizontal needles from the loops transferred to the vertical needles.

Another object is to provide the horizontal latch needles with means for positioning and spreading the loops thereon to effect the transfer of these loops to the vertical needles.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through a straight bar knitting machine having mechanism according to the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view similar to a portion of Fig. 1 showing a portion of the operating mechanism for the vertical needle bar of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section view taken along the line 4 -4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the vertical needle bar of the machine looking-in the direction of the arrows 66 of Fig. 2, break lines being shown to indicate the omission of portions of the bar;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the parts shown in different operating positions;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale through one end of the needle bar of Fig. 2 and taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of one end of the vertical needle bar looking in the direction of the arrows 1lll0 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail view taken transversely through the machine showing a portion of the couliering mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the mechanism as seen from the left of Fig. 12;

2,957,324 I p A Fig. 14 is a view similarto a portion of Fig. 13 and taken substantially along the line 14-44 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a view on an enlarged scale taken in the direction of and within the arrows 1515 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged top plan View of the mechanism of Fig. 12, the view being turned at right angles relative to Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional View on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 17-17 of Fig. 15;

Fig. .18 is a cross-sectional View onan-enlaiged scale taken substantially along the line 18'18"of Fig. 15;

Fig. .19 is a detail View of a portion of the pattern chain mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 20 is a'view taken transve'rselyihrough themachine showing operating mechanism for the-horizontal needle bed according to the 'inverition',parts" being shown in elevation and other parts being shown in cross section;

Fig. 21 is a view partly in elevation and partly in cross section taken substantially along the line 2121 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 isa cross-sectional view-on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 2222 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 2323 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 24is a detailed elevational view 'on an enlarged scale of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 20 looking in the direction of the arrows 24-24 on Fig. 20;

Fig. 25 is a'detailed elevational view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 20 looking in the direction of the arrows 25 25 on Fig. 20;

Fig. 26 is a front elevational view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 20 looking in the direction of the arrow A;

Fig. 27 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism shown at the right end of Fig. 26;

Fig.28 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 2828 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 29-29 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 30 is a View on an enlarged scale taken along the line 30-30 of Fig. 26, parts being shown in end elevation and other parts being shown in cross section;

Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3131 of Fig. 30;

the arrows 3232 on Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view'on an'enlarged' scale taken in the direction of the arrows 33 33 of Fig. 26; Fig. 34 is a view illustrating the relation between the vertical and horizontal needles at the time yarn is fed to the needles; 7 a i Fig. 35 is a view similar to Fig. '34 but with the horizontal needle withdrawn into the horizontal needle bed as during one phase of the loo p forming operation;

Fig. 36 is a view similar to Figs. 34 and 35 but with the needles positioned as atthe time the loops on the horizontal needles are being transferred to the vertical needles; I

Fig. 37 is a plan viewof a portion of Fig. 36 diagrammatically illustrating the position of the needles during loop transfer; 7 V i w i V Fig. 3 8 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing catchbar operating mechanism for the sinkers and dividers of the machine according to the instant invention;

Fig. 39 is a view partly in elevation and partly in cross section taken along the line 39-39 of Fig. 38; and

Fig. is a front elevational view of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 38 as seen in the direction of the arrows 40'40. i

The mechanism shown in the drawings comprises portions of a full-fashioned knitting machine embodying the novel features of the instantinvention. Specifically the mechanism includes vertically movable needles sinkers Y and dividers, yarn carriers, coulier mechanism for operating the sinkers and yarn carriers and catchbar mechanism for operating the dividers and sinkers to form yarns carried by the yarn. carriers into loops. The vertical needles are divided into two separate groups, one group comprising alternate needles being mounted in one bar and the other group comprising the remaining needles being mounted in a second bar. The two bars with their associated needles are adapted to be operated together to form plain fabric and one of the bars is movable vertically to an inactive position relative to the other bar and the inactive Vertical needles are replaced by a group of horizontally movable needles to form rib fabric. Means are provided to individually advance and retract the horizontal needles in a wave in the spaces normally occupied by the inactive needles to engage the yarn and form it into loops in alternate wales of the fabric and the vertical needles are then operated to form the loops in the other wales. The machine is also provided with meansto discontinue the slurring movements of the sinkers and the horizontal movements of the catchbar to inactivate the sinkers and .dividers when the vertical and horizontal needles are to act together and for activating the means for advancingand retracting the horizontal needles.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 38 of the drawingsthere is shown a portion of a common multi-section full-fashioned knitting machine including one of a series of spaced transverse center frames 29, a front beam 21, a back beam'22 anda center bed 25 which together with end frames (not shown) form the framework of the machine. Each knittingsection of the machine. is provided with usual loop .forming elements including a vertical row of spring bearded needles 26-which are supported and operated by means .to be hereinafter described, for cooperation with sinkers 27, dividers28- and knockover bits 30 to knit yarn intolloopsinforming plain knitted fabric. The sinkers 27 and dividers 28 are alternately mounted in slots in thesinkerhead 31 carried on the center bed 25. The sinkers 27 are advanced by jacks 35 which are progressively slurred in the usual manner by a slur cam 36 to sink or indent the yarn carried by the yarn carrier 32 between alternatepairs of the needles 26. Yarn carrier 32 is one of agroup of such carriers carried on carrier rods 34 which are mounted for reciprocating movements to feed yarns to the-loop forming elements in a common manner. The slur cam 36 is carried in a cock boX 37. which is slidably mounted on a bar 40 supported on the center bed 25 and the cock boxes of adjacent knitting sections are secured to each other by a connecting bar 41. The connecting bar 41 is connected to and operated by coulier mechanism 42 (Figs. 12 and 13), to'be hereinafter described, to reciprocate the slur cam 36 back and forth along the sinkerhead 31.

Following the advance of the sinkers 27 by the slur cam 36, the dividers 28 are advanced to divide or sink the yarn between the remainder of theneedles 26 by a catchbar 45 (Fig. 38). Supporting the catchbar 45 for both horizontal and vertical movements to advance the dividers 28 and retract thedividers and sinkers 27 in a common manner are arms, one of which is shown at 46, the arms being pivotally connected to Vertically positioned levers 47 which are secured to a shaft 50' mounted for oscillation in the center frames 20. The shaft Si) is oscillated. by a lever 51 which is operated by cams 52 carried on a cam shaft 55 mounted for rotation in the end and center frames. Vertical movement is transmitted to thecatchbar 45 by a linkage 56 secured to a shaft 57 which is supported for oscillating movement in the center frames 20. A lever 60 secured to theshaft 57 is operated by cams 61 0111116 cam shaft 55. The knockover bits 36 are mounted in a bar 53 (Fig. l) which is operated by means (not shown) to provide the cooperative movements of the knockover bits in a common manner. Also cooperating with the needles 26 to fashion the knitted fabric are points 59 forming a part of usual fashioning mechanism of the machine and indicated generally at 63. It is to be understood that where reference is made herein to only a single cam on the cam shaft 55 for operating the usual loop forming elements of the machine, such reference includes the cam means necessary to operate the elements through both knitting and fashioning cycles of the machine.

According to the instant invention the needles 26 are divided into two groups, one group B comprising alternate needles, which are mounted in a bar 62, and another group C comprising the remaining needles in the row of needles, which are carried in a bar 65 (Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8). The bars 62 and 65 are mounted in sliding engagement and are vertically movable relative to each other so that at times the needles of group C may be moved from an active position of Fig. 7 to an inactive position, shown in Fig. 8, as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth. For guiding the bars 62 and 65 for such vertical movement, the bar 65 is provided with extensions 66, the left extension, as viewed from the front of the machine, being shown in Fig. 9. The extensions 66 are shouldered at 67 to overlie and slidably engage the ends of the bar 62 to maintain the bars in endwise relation with respect to each other. The vertical faces of the extensions 66 are guided between brackets 70 which are secured to the ends of the bar 62 by bolts 71 and plates 72 secured to the brackets by screws 73, as shown in Figs. 3, 6, 9, and 11, to maintain the bars 62 and 65 in sliding engagement.

Vertical movement is transmitted to the bars 62 and 65 by lift arms 75 one of which is shown pivotally connected by a pin 76 to downwardly extending lugs 77 on each of the brackets 70 (Figs. 2, 6, and 10). The lift arms 75 are secured to a shaft 78 which is rotatably mounted in the center frames 20. A lever 80, also fixed to the shaft 78, is operated by cams 81 on the cam shaft 55 to turn the shaft 78 to move the bars 62 and 65 and needles 26 through their vertical movements. Horizontal movement is transmitted to the bars and needles by a bracket 82, one end of which is secured to the bar 62 by bolts 85 (Fig. 6) and the other end of which is pivotally connected to one end of a rocker arm 86 (Fig. 1). In normal operating position, an openended groove 88 provided in the rocker arm 86 is in releasable engagement with a pin 89 carried in a lever 87. The arm 86 is also provided with a notch 93 for engagement with the pin 89, when the pin is released from the groove 88, to tilt the needles 26 outwardly from their normal operating position, as hereinafter set forth. The lever 87 is secured to a shaft 90 rotatably mounted in the center frames 20 and is operated by cams 91 on the cam shaft 55 to rock the needle bars 62 and 65 about the axis of the pins 76 to move the needles 26 horizontally in timed relation to the vertical movements of the bars to engage and close the beards of the needles 26 against a front face or presser edge 33 of the sinker-head 31 (Fig. 2).

In order to move the bars 62 and 65 vertically between the position in which the needle groups B and C are at the same level (Figs. 2 and 7), as during plain knitting, and in which the needles of group C are in a lower inactive position of Fig. 8, each end extension 66 of the bar 65 is provided with a pin 92 extending outwardly from the end thereof for engagement with a cam surface 95 formed on one arm 96 of a lever 97 (Fig. 2). Each lever 97 is pivotally mounted on a stud 100 carried in and extending outwardly from an upwardly projecting car 101 of each of the levers 75 connected to the ends of the bar 62 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). A second arm 102 of each lever 97 carries a pin 105 extending at right angles to the axis of the stud 100 for pivotally mounting a lever 106. One arm 107 of the lever 106 is forked at 108 to straddle a reduced portion 109 and to fit within a groove 110 formed adjacent to the outer end of a pin 111 (Figs.

3 and 5). The pin 111 is slidably carried in a bore or opening 112 formed in the arm 102 (Fig. 5) and has an inner end portion 115 which is reduced to fit within either one or the other of a pair of spaced openings 116 formed in an arm 117 extending from the lever 75 (Figs. 2 and 3). An ear 120 extending from the arm 102 is adapted to engage upper and lower projections 121 on the arm 117 to align the reduced end portion 115 of the pin 111 with the upper and lower openings 116 in the arm 117 (Figs. 1 and 2). A compression type spring 122 interposed between the arm 102 of the lever 97 and a second am 125 of the lever 106 biases the lever 106 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to maintain the reduced end portion 115 of pin 111 in the opening 116 with which it is aligned. In the position of Fig. 2, the lever 97 acts to hold the bar 65 in its raised active position and the bar 65 is moved to the inactive position of Fig. 8, by moving the lever 106 counterclockwise relative to the arm 102 against the bias of spring 122, as viewed in Fig. 3, to disengage the end 115 from the lower opening 116 and then moving the lever 97 counterclockwise and re-engaging the end 115 in the upper opening 116. A spring 126 connected between the pin 92 at each end of the bar 65 and an extension 127 of the pin 76 acts to bias the bar 65 to inactive position and maintains the pins 92 in engagement with the cam surface 95 on its associated lever 97 in both positions of the lever. Further, the cam surface 95 is shaped to permit the normal horizontal movementss of the bars 62 and 65 when the latter is ineither its active or inactive positions.

The coulier mechanism 42 for reciprocating the connecting bar 41 for the slur cams 36 includes along rocker arm 130 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket 131 carried on the back beam 22 and a short rocker arm 132 pivotally mounted on a bracket 135 also carried on the back beam (Figs. 12 and 13). The rocker arms 130 and 132 are connected by a pitman 136 having roller type followers 137 for engagement with a cam 140 (Fig. 14) carried on a stub shaft 141 mounted for rotative movement in a bearing bracket 142 carried on the back beam 22. The stub shaft 141 carries a bevel gear 145 having meshing engagement with a bevel gear 146 forming a part of the common clutch mechanism (not shown) on the cam shaft 55 and by means of which the stub shaft and cam 140 is driven in timed relation with the cam shaft. The upper end of the rocker arm 130 is pivotally connected by means of a link 147 to a crosshead 150 which is slidably mounted on a guide bar 151 carried in fixed position on the framework of the machine. A gear 152 is rotatably carried on the crosshead 150 in meshing engagement with rack teeth formed in the guide bar 151 and a toothed rack 156 (Fig. 16, 17 and 18) which is guided for sliding movement in bearings fixed in the machine, one of the bearings being indicated at (Fig. 13). A crosshead 157 is secured to the rack 156 (Fig. 15) and has secured therein a friction rod 160 by means of which friction boxes (not shown) are frictionally driven to reciprocate the carrier rods 34 in the usual manner. A lever 162, mounted on a pin 161 within a recess 163 formed in the crosshead 157 (Figs. 16 and 18), has a nose portion 164 for engagement in a notch 165 in the connecting bar 41. The lever 162 is pivotally movable on the pin 161 from an active position in which it is engaged in the notch 165 to an inactive position to inactivate the connecting bar 41 and slur cams 36 for purposes hereinafter set forth. The lever 162 is maintained in its active and inactive positions by engagement of a spring pressed detent 166 in the lever with notches 167 formed in the pin 161 (Fig. 18).

During knitting of plain fabric the needles of both groups B and C are in the active position of Fig. 2 and the lever 162 is connected to the connecting bar 41 to reciprocate the slur cams 36 with the friction rod 160.

tion :ashereinbefore. set-forth ,and a set of 'latch type needles 186 are activated 'to cooperate with the needles gof -group B. As showniin Figs. 56 and 37, needles 186 are generally of the'typeshown in U.S;Patent No. 2,326,-

694; issued August 1943;and include a loop stop portion 188; a side bevel' 189extending upwardly from the bottom'edge of the" needle to-deflect the needles of group" C during the transfer operation anda transfer 'clip 194-to-spread the loops for the -transferoperation as hereinafter setiforth; 9 However; the form of needle 186 shown is for illustrative-purposesonly and any well known'transfer needle having similar characteristics may -be employed. 7

' V The needles 186 are slidably mounted in slots 187 in a needle bed 190, the needles 186 being spaced to operate in the spaces normally occupied by the inactive needles of group C. Preferably, as shown in Figs. '20 and 30,

v the needles 186 and bed' 191 are tilted-at a slight angle 190 by a retaining member 236 which is dovetailed to ilt within a correspondingly shaped notch or slot 237 "'formedin the-upper surfaceof thebed (Fig.- 30), the

from the horizontal so that during operation the needles 186 are moved inwardly and downwardly toward the needles 26 of the group B. Studs 191 carried in opposite ends'of the bed 190 at the rear edgethereof are pivotallyxsupported in brackets 192 (Figs. 26, 27 and 29) secured to the center frames 20 by bolts 193, as shown in Fig.20.* The bed 190 isrocked about the axis of the studs 191' for the purpose hereinafter set forth, by pins 195 'which' are engageable in openings 196 formed in downwardly projecting lugs 197 formed on opposite ends of the bed-(Figs. 22 and 30).- Each pin 195 is carried in one arm 209 of a Y-shaped lever 201 pivotally-carried on a stud 202 secured in adjusted position in a lever 205 (Figs. 20, 21, and 23), the other arm 200 of lever carrying a pin engaging the adjacent end of the bed 199 in an adjacent section of the machine. The pin 195 is axially slidable in the arm 2% and opening 196 in the lug 197 to permit the pin to be removed from the opening for purposes hereinafter described, a spring pressed detent 206 being provided in the arm for engaging in V-shape notches 207 which are spaced to maintain the pin 195 in engaged or disengaged position with respect to the opening (Fig. 22). As shown in Fig. 21, the pin 195 carries a locating pin 210 projecting outwardly therefrom through a slot 211 in the arm 20%, the pin 219 and slot cooperating to limit the axial movement of pin 195 and to prevent rotary movement of the pin 195 in the arm.

The lever 295 is pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 212 carried in a bracket 215 secured to the back beam 22 and carries a roller *type follower 216 for engagement with a cam 217 on the cam shaft 55 (Fig. 20). During plain knitting the forward or free end of the lever 205 is supported by one arm 220 of a lever 221 which is pivotally mounted on a stud 222 carried in abracket 225 on the front beam 21 (Figs. 20 and 24).. The free end of a second arm 226 of the lever 221 is held in engagement with a collar 227 carried on a rod 230 by a spring 231 connected between the arm 226 and a second collar 232 secured to the rod. The rod 236 is one of the usual control rods of the machine'and is connected to one of a group of similar pattern levers 235 which are adapted to be operated by buttons 233 on a pattern chain 234, the pattern levers and chain forming a part of a pattern chain device 238 (Fig. 1 9) of the type common to full-fashioned knitting machines for controlling as viewed in Fig. 24, to remove arm 22%) from beneath the lever 205, the lever is permitted to follow the conboththe knitting and fashioning functions of the ma- 2 When a button 233 is moved beneath the pattour of the cam 217 to raise and lower the needles 186 retaining member being movable endwisein the bed to permit its-removal for the replacement of broken needles in the bed. The needles 186'are provided with butts 240 which are adapted to beacted on by a 'triangularshaped'center cam 241 having inclined surfaces 242 and a cam 245 having inclined surfaces 246 spaced: from the inclined surfaces 242 andlying parallel thereto, the inclined surfaces of the cams 241 and' 245' acting-to successively advance and retract the needles in the slots 187 during reverse reciprocations informing thesrib fabric, as hereinafter set forth. -Also acting on the butts 240 of theneedles is =-a cam 247 having an inclined 'surface 25h for -successively advancing the butts to pass above the cam 245 and a cam 251having'an inclined surface 252 (Fig. 32) acting to retract theneedles advanced by the cam 247. A spring device 253 in the form of a plate or'comb'is-secured'to the underside .of the bed 190 and eXtendsupwardly through an opening in the bed to engage the needles186 (Fig. 30) to. brake the movement of the needles in the slots 187.

The cam 245-is fixed to the underside of a lower wall 255 of a housing or carriage 256 and the cams 241, 247 and 251 are mounted in openingsiin the lower wall for vertical moveme'ntsbetweenactive and inactive positions relative to the butts" 249 of the needlesi186. For so moving the cams between active and inactive positions cam 251 is providedwitha pin or stem 257 which is mounted in an upper wall' 260. of the carriage 256' (Fig. 33).- The upper'end of the stein 257 has a fiat 261 formed thereon and pa ssesiupwardly through a slot 262 in a plate 265 (Fig. 27 and 33). A stud 266 secured to the-upper end of the stern 257rotatably carries a follower member 267 for engagement withacam block: 270 having a high surface 271 forpositioning the cam. 251 in inactive position and a notch 272 (Figs. 27 and 31) which is of'a depth to permit the cam 257 to move to active position to engage the butts. 249 of theneedles 186. A spring 275 surrounding the stem 257 between the scam 251 and the upper wall 260 maintains the follower IIlfiIIlher 267 in engagement with the cam block 270., The cam 241 is provided with a stem 276 which is mounted in the upper Wall 260 in the same mannerrasstem257,

and has a fiat 277 formed thereon to ,pass'through -a slot 278 in the plate 265 (Fig. 27). :A stud 280secured to the upper end of the stem 27 6rotatably-carries a follower 281 for engagement with a cam ,block 282; 1 The cam block 282 has high'portions 283 for positioning the cam 241 in inactive position andv a notch 284 in which the follower 281 engages to position the cam- 241 in active position. Likewise the earn 247 has acstem 285 mounted in the upper wall 260 of the carriage 256 and the stem is provided with a fiat 286 to'passthrough the slot 278 in the plate 265., A:stud-29tl secured to the stem 285 rotatably carries a follower 291 for engagement-with a cam block 292. The cam block. 292 is provided :with high portions 295 for inactively positioning the earn 251 and a notch 296 in which the follower 291' engages to actively position the cam. Springs similar to the spring 275 maintain the followers. 281 and 291 in engagement with the cam. blocks 282 and; 292, respectively (Fig. 31). The cam blocks 27%, 282 and 292 are-secured in. fixed position in slo'ts 297 formed in the upper face of the plate 265. Studs 30) secured in the upper wall 260of the carriage 256 are provided-with-shoulder portions 301 adapted to slidably engage in slots 302 in the plate 265, as shown in Figs. 27 and 33 to guide the plate for endwise movement relative to the carriage 256 to move the cam blocks 270', 282 and 292 relative to their associated followers by means hereinafter described; Heads 305;on the studs 300 maintain the plate 265 in engagementwith the upper surface of the carriage 256.

i The carriage 256. with thewcams, 241, 247 and 251 is reciprocated back and forth along the bed 190 to act on the butts 24% of the needles by means hereinafter described. For guiding the carriage 256 during its reciprocating movements, the carriage is provided with rollers 307 which are rotatably carried on studs 306 secured in the carriage (Figs. 27, 30 and 33). As shown in Figs. 30 and 33 the rollers 387 at the right side of the carriage 256 ride on an upper surface 309 of a rail member 310 which is secured to the bed 190 at opposite ends thereof by screws 311 (Fig. 27). The member 310 has a nose portion 312 extending into a groove 315 in the carriage 256 and engaging an inner wall 314 of the carriage. The rollers 307 at the right side of the carriage 256 are maintained in engagement with the surface 309 of the member 310 by engagement of the lower wall 255 with a lower surface of the nose portion 312. The rollers 387 at the left side of the carriage 256 are guided in guide groove 317 formed in a guide member 328 which is secured by screws 319 to the ends of needle bed 190. The guide members 310 and 320 are of sufiicient length to permit reciprocating movements of the cams 241, 247 and 251 beyond the end needles 186 at opposite ends of the bed 190.

Reciprocating movements are transmitted to the carriage 256 by an arm 321 having a nose portion 322 engaging between a pair of lugs 325 on the carriage (Figs. 26, 27 and 30). The arm 321 is mounted on a shaft 326 between a pair of collars 327 and 330 fixed on the shaft, the arm being movable about the axis of the shaft from an active position in which the nose portion 322 is engaged between the lugs 325 and an inactive position for purposes hereinafter set forth. The arm 321 is maintained in its active and inactive positions by engagement of a ball detent 331 carried in the arm and spaced recesses 332 formed in a projecting portion 335 of the collar 330 (Figs. 27 and 28). Normally the arm 321 remains actively engaged between the lugs 325 and the pins 195 remain engaged in the openings 196 in the bed 190 to maintain the bed in its operating position of Fig. 1. When, however, it is desired to move the bed, for the purpose of making repairs, the arm 321 is disengaged from the lugs 325 and moved to inactive position and the pins 195 removed from the openings 196 thereby permitting the bed to be rotated to inactive position on the studs 191.

For providing reciprocating movements to the shaft 326 it is mounted for axially sliding movement in the brackets 192 and such sliding movement in opposite directions is transmitted to the shaft by means of a bar 336 which is connected to the shaft by a connecting bracket 337 (Fig. 16). The bar 336 is reciprocated along a fixed path in brackets (not shown), carried in fixed position on the framework of the machine, by a lever 341 having a nose portion 342 at the free end thereof engaging in a notch 345 formed in a dog 344 secured to the bar. The other end of the lever 341 is pivotally mounted between ears 347, on -a rod or shaft 346, carried in the ears (Figs. 12 and 16). The lever 341 is movable between its inactive position of Fig. 12 to an active position in engagement with the dog 344, as hereinafter set forth, and the lever is maintained in such positions by means similar to that provided to hold the lever 162 in either its active or inactive positions hereinbefore described. The ears 347 form a part of a bracket 353 which is secured to a bar 351 also mounted for sliding movement in the brackets 155. The bar 351 is provided with rack teeth having meshing engagement with a gear 352 rotatably carried on a crosshead 350 (Fig. 16).

The crosshead 358 forms a part of a coulier mechanism indicated generally at 349 (Figs. 12 and 13) and is slidably supported for reciprocating movement on a rack bar 357 also in meshing engagement with the gear 352 and carried in fixed position on the machine framework. The crosshead 350 is pivotally connected by a link 360 to one end of a long rocker arm 361 pivotally mounted on the 10 bracket 131. A pitman 362, pivotally connected the rocker arm 361 and a short rocker arm 363 pivotally mounted with the arm 132 on the bracket 135, rotatably carries spaced followers 364 for engagement with a cam 365 also carried on the stub shaft 141. With the lever 341 in engagement with the bar 336 operation of the coulier mechanism 349 reciprocates the bars 351 and 336 in timed relation to the operation of the machine and the movement of the bar 336 is in turn transmitted to the shaft 326.

The plate 265 and cam blocks 270, 282, and 292 are selectively shifted relative to the carriage 256 to move the cams 251, 241 and 247 between active and inactive position to act on the butts 240 of the needles by levers 382, one of which is positioned adjacent each end of the needle bed 198 (Fig. 26). For so shifting the plate 265 the levers 382 are adapted to be selectively moved into the path of stepped surfaces 385, 386 and 387 formed at opposite ends of the plate 265. The levers 382 are secured to a shaft 390 pivotally mounted in the brackets 192 (Figs. 20 and 30) and the shaft is adapted to be given partial turning movements about the axis thereof to align the levers 382 with the stepped surfaces on the plate 265. Turning movements are transmitted to the shaft 390 by a lever 391 which is secured thereto, the free end of the lever 391 being pivotally connected by a link 392 to one end 395 of a lever 396. The lever 396 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a bracket 397 secured to the front beam 21, a front end 400 of the lever being biased into engagement with one arm 401 of a bell crank 402 by a spring 405 connected between the end 400 and the front beam (Fig. 25). The bell crank 402 is pivotally mounted on a stud 406 carried in a bracket 407 secured to the front beam 21. A second arm 410 of the bell crank 402 extends downwardly between a pair of collars 411 fixed on a rod 412 which is connected to and shifted lengthwise of the machine by one of the pattern levers 235 of the pattern chain device 238. Normally, when no button 233 on the chain is beneath the lever 235 associated with the rod 412, the arm 410 of the bell crank is held against an adjustable stop screw 415 on the bracket 407 (Fig. 25) and the lever 396 is positioned by the spring 405 to align the levers 382 with the surfaces 385 on the plate 265. To align the levers 382 with the surfaces 386 and 387 on the plate 265, a low or a high button is moved beneath the lever 235 as hereinafter set forth.

At the time the needles 186 are to operate with the needles 26 of group B to form rib fabric, the sinkers 27 and dividers 28 must be maintained in their fully retracted position. To accomplish this one arm 416 of a bell crank 417 is moved beneath the lever 51 when it is in engagement with the high part of cam 52 as shown in Figs. 38 and 39. The bell crank 417 is pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 420 carried in a bracket 421 secured to the back beam 22. A second arm 422 of the bell crank 417 is pivotally connected by a link 425 to an arm 426 secured to one end of a rod or shaft 427 rotatably carried in brackets 430, 431 secured to the front and back beams 21 and 22, respectively. At its forward end, the shaft 427 carries an arm 432 which extends downwardly from the shaft to engage a collar 435 on a rod 436 (Figs. 38 and 40) which extends along the machine to the pattern chain device 238 for operation by one of the levers 235. The arm 432 and collar 435 are maintained in engagement by a spring 437 connected therebetween (Fig. 40) and a spring 440 connected between the arm 426 and the back beam 22 tends to bias the arm 416 to inactive position and the rod 436 to the right as viewed in Figs. 39 and 40. When a button 233 is moved beneath the pattern lever 235 associated with the rod 436, the rod is moved to the left to turn shaft 427 clockwise and shaft 427 in turn rotates stub shaft 420 to move arm 416 beneath lever 51.

In forming fabric blanks such as for sweaters and the between 11 like knitting is started at the bottom edge or first course of the ribbed hem and worked toward the neck of the blank; -Following formation of the last course of the blank in which the needles 26 of both groups B and C were acting together to form the plain knit portion of the blank the chain 234 is idly advanced to move the first of a series of buttons 233 beneath the patern lever 235 controlling the position of the lever 221 to move it from beneath the lever 205 thereby permitting operation of this lever by cam 217. Also the first of a series of buttons 233 is moved beneath the lever 235 controlling the position of the arm 416 to move this arm beneath the lever 51 to prevent the horizontal motion of the catchbar 45 to maintain the sinkers 27 and dividers 28 in fully retracted position and the machine is then stopped with both coulier mechanisms 42 and 349 standing at the right end of their movement as viewed from the front of the machine. The pin 111 is now disengaged from the lower opening 116 and the lever 97 moved counterclockwise from its position of Fig. 2 and the pin rc-engaged in the upper opening 116 thereby permitting springs 126 to move the needles 26 of group C to the inactive position of Fig. 8. Also at this time the lever 162 is disengaged from the bar 41 and moved to inactive position and the lever 341 is moved to active position in engagement with the bar 336. Further, at this time no button 233 is beneath the pattern lever 235 controlling the position of levers 382 and these levers are aligned with the stepped surfaces 385 of the plate 265 and the plate remains in the same position to which it was moved by the right lever 382 during the last previous operating movement of the carriage 256 toward the right. In this position of the plate 265, which is shown in Figs. 26, 27 and 31, the follower 281 is in the notch 284 of cam block 282 to position the cam 241 to act on the butts 240 of the needles 186 and the cams 247 and 251 are controlled by high portions of the cam blocks 292 and 270, respectively, to maintain these cams inactive.

At the start of the machine operation to knit the rib portion of a fabric blank as the coulier mechanisms 42 and 349 are operated from right to left, as viewed from the front of the machine and from left to right as viewed in Fig. 13, to reciprocate the friction rod 160 and the carriage 256, the cam 241 successively advances the needles 186 from their retracted position of Fig. 35 to a position between the needles of group B toreceive yarn from the carrier 32, as viewed in Fig. 34. As the carriage and cam 241 continue to move the needles 186 are successively retracted by the earn 245 into the bed 190 to form the yarn into loops around the needles 26 of the group B as shown in Fig. 35. Following the advance and retraction of all of the needles 186, the needles 26 of group B are operated by. the cam levers 80 and 87 and as the needles 26 move to their lowest positionto catch the yarn beneath the beards of the needles 26, the bed 190 is also rocked downwardly about the studs 191 by the cam 217 to divide the yarn equally between loops on the needles 26 and 186. As the needles 186 are again advanced to receive yarn for the next course of loops the previously formed loops open and pass over. the latches of the needles 186 and as these needles are then retracted, the previously formed loops close the latches over the new loops and are cast off these needles. The movement and action of the latch needles 186 in forming the yarn into loops is the same as in any of the Well known fiat bed type and circular independent needle knitting machines. Followin the casting oif of the loops of succeeding course from the needles 186, the vertical needles are operated to close the beards thereof over the new loops and to draw these loops through the loops previously'formed on the needles 26 in the same manner as employed in straight bar knitting machines. The rib fabric portion thus km'tted and the following plain fabric portion of the blank is attached to and withdrawn from r 12 the needles 26 and 186 by a take-up roller device 441 in the usual manner.

During knitting of the last course of the rib fabric which occurs during operation of the coulier mechanisms 42 and 349 to reciprocate the yarn carrier 32 and carriage 256 from left to right, a low button 233 on the chain 234 is advanced beneath the pattern lever 235 associated with the rod 412 to move this rod toward the left. Movement of the rod 412 to the left by the low button acts to turn the shaft 390 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 20, to align the levers 382 with the surfaces 386 on the plate 265 and as the carriage 256 completes its movement to the right, the right lever 382 engages the surface 386 to shift the plate and the cam blocks thereon toward the left relative to the carriage, Movement of the plate and cam blocks to the left causes the follower 281 to ride out of the notch 284 to a high surface 283 of the cam block 282 to move the cam 241 to inactive position, the follower 291 to ride from a high portion 295 into the notch 296 in the cam block 292 to permit movement of the cam 247 to active position into the path of butts 240 of the needles 186 and the follower 267 rides along the high surface 271 of cam block 270 to maintain the cam 251 in inactive position.

Following formation of the last course of the rib fabric and prior to the next reciprocation of the coulier mechanisms 42 and 349 which will be from right to left, the machine is stopped. At this time the friction box for the carrier 32 is released from the friction rod to inactivate the carrier at the right side of its path of travel. Also the lever 86 is manipulated to disengage the groove 88 from the pin 89 and engage the pin in notch 93 to tilt the needles outwardly so that as the needles 26 are operated through a subsequent knitting cycle, the beards thereof will not be closed against the presser edge 33 and the needles 26 will retain the last loops formed thereon. The machine is now operated with the carriage 256 and cam 247 moving from right to left during which the needles 186 are advanced by .the inclined surface 250 of the cam 247 to the transfer position of Fig. 36 to spread the loops on the needles and to engage them against the stop portions 188. During this movement of the carriage from right to left, a high button 233 is advanced beneath the lever 235 to move the rod 412 further to the left to turn the shaft 390 counterclockwise to align the levers 382 with the surfaces 387 on the plate 265. Consequently, as the carriage completes its movement to the left, the left lever 382 engages the left surface 387 and shifts the plate to the right relative to the carriage. Such movement of the plate 265 and cam blocks to the right causes the follower 291 to ride out of the notch 296 to a high surface 295 of the cam block 292 to move the cam 247 to inactive position, the follower 281 to remain on the high surface 283 of the cam block 282 to maintain the cam 241 in inactive position, and the follower 267 to engage in the notch 272 of the cam block 270 to move the cam 251 to active position into the path of the butts 241) of the needles 186.

As the needles 26 of the group B reach the lowest point in their path of movement the machine is again stopped. The pins 111 are then disengaged from the upper openings 116 and the levers 97 turned clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 to raise the needles of group C to the level of group B and the pins re-engaged in the lower openings. When the machine is restarted, the needles 26 rise to their highest level with the needles of group C being deflected by the bevels 189 on the needles 186 to pass through the spread loops on the needles 186 (Fig. 37). As the machine continues to operate the carriage 256 is moved from left to right at which time the needles 186 are withdrawn from the loops thereon and are moved to fully retracted position in the bed 190 by engagement of the surface 252 of the cam 251 with the butts 241 of the needles 186. During this movement of the carriage 13 256 from left to right, the high button 233 on the chain 234 is moved from engagement with the pattern lever 235 to permit return of the rod 412 and bell'crank 402 to the position of Fig. 25 which moves the shaft 390 and levers 382 to again align the levers 382 with the surfaces 385 on the plate 265. When the carriage reaches the end of its movement to the right, the right lever 382 thereupon engages the right surface 385 to shift the plate 265 with the cam blocks to the left. This results in engagement of the roller 281 in the'notch 284 of the cam block 282 to again move the cam 241 to active position and engagement of the followers 267 and 291 with high portions of the cam blocks 270 and 292 to inactivate the cams 251 and 247, respectively. Also at this time the last button 233 on the chain 234 controlling the rod 436 is moved from engagement with the pattern lever 235 connected to the rod to thereby permit movement of this rod to the right which in turn acts to move the arm 416 from beneath the lever 51. Consequently, lever 51 is again permitted to follow cam 52 to move the catch bar through its normal horizontal path.

At the end of the movement from left to right the machine is again stopped. At this time lever 162 is moved to actively connect the bar 41 to the coulier mechanism 42 and lever 341 is moved to inactive position to disconnect the bar 336 from the coulier mechanism 349. Also at this time the friction box is reengaged to the friction rod 160 for the yarn carrier selected to feed yarn to the needles 26 and the machine is again started to knit the plain portion of the fabric blank.

It is believed to be obvious from the foregoing detailed description that the machine of the instant invention not only includes the usual elements of straight bar knitting machines but also includes the additional elements and operating mechanism therefor required to form rib fabric portions to the plain loop fabric blanks. Further, the control of the elements is such that when desired the machine may be operated continuously to form either plain fabric blanks or rib fabric blanks in succession without changing the basic arrangement of the elements.

Of course the improvements specifically shown and described by which the above results are obtained, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a straight bar knitting machine having a group of vertical spring beard needles, sinkers, dividers, and means for operating said vertical needles in unison and said sinkers and dividers in cooperation therewith to knit a yarn into loops to form plain fabric, in combination with a group of horizontal pivoted latch needles, and means for operating the said horizontal needles individually in succession in cooperation with said vertical needles to knit said yarn into loops on both said groups of needles to form rib fabric.

2. In a straight bar knitting machine having a group of vertical needles, sinkers, dividers, and means for operating said vertical needles in unison and said sinkers and dividers in cooperation therewith to knit a yarn into loops to form plain fabric, in combination with a group of horizontal needles, and means for operating the said horizontal needles individually in succession in cooperation with alternate ones of said vertical needles to knit said yarn into loops to form rib fabric.

movement of the said vertical needles to knit said yarn into loops to form rib fabric.

4. In a straight bar knitting machine having a group of vertical needles, sinkers, dividers, means for operating said vertical needles in unison and said sinkers and dividers in cooperation therewith to knit a yarn into loops to form a plain selvaged fabric, in combination with a group of horizontal needles, and means for operating the needles of said horizontal needles individually in succession and in timed relation to the operation of said vertical group of needles to knit said yarn into loops to form rib fabric.

5. In a straight bar knitting machine having a group of vertical needles, sinkers, and dividers, means for oper- 3. In a straight bar knitting machine having a group of vertical needles, a bar mounting said vertical needles for unitary movement, sinkers, dividers, and means for operating said vertical needles, sinkers and dividers to knit a yarn into loops to form plain fabric, in combination with a group of horizontal needles, a bed in which the said horizontal needles are slidably mounted for independent movement toward and away from the said ver tical needles, and means for independently operating the said horizontal needles in cooperation with the unitary ating said vertical needles in unison and said sinkers and dividers to knit a yarn into loops to form plain fabric, a group of horizontal needles, means for operating said horizontal needles individually in succession and in timed relation to the operation of said vertical needles to knit said yarn into loops to form rib fabric, and means for operating said vertical and horizontal needles in timed relation to transfer the loops formed on said horizontal needles to the said vertical needles.

6. In a straight bar knitting machine having vertical needles having a fixed path of movement, means for operating said vertical needles in unison along said path, sinkers and dividers, means for operating said sinkers and dividers in cooperation with the operation of said vertical needles along said fixed path, horizontal needles, means for operating said horizontal needles individually in succession and in timed relation to the operation of said vertical needles along said fixed path, and means for changing the position of said vertical needles whereby said vertical needles will follow a path difierent from said fixed path during operation of said vertical needles with said horizontal needles.

7. In a straight bar knitting machine having vertical needles having a fixed path of movement, means for operating said vertical needles in unison along said fixed path, sinkers and dividers, means for feeding yarn to said needles, means for operating said sinkers and dividers in cooperation with the operation of said vertical needles along said fixed path to form the yarn into loops on said vertical needles, horizontal needles, means for operating said horizontal needles individually in succession and in timed relation to the operation of said Vertical needles along said fixed path to form the yarn on said vertical needles and said horizontal needles, and means for operating said vertical needles along a path different from said fixed path during operation of said vertical needles with said horizontal needles to transfer the loops on said horizontal needles to said vertical needles.

8. In a straight bar knitting machine having vertical needles, means for mounting said vertical needles for unitary movement, means for operating said vertical needles in unison, sinkers and dividers, means for operating said sinkers and dividers in timed relation to the operation of said vertical needles, means for moving alternate vertical needles between active and inactive positions, horizontal needles corresponding in number to said alternate vertical needles, means for operating said horizontal needles individually, in succession and in timed relation to the operation of said vertical needles when said alternate vertical needles are in inactive position, and means for disconnecting said sinkers and dividers from said sinker and divider operating means during operation of said horizontal needles.

9. In a straight bar knitting machine having vertical needles, means for operating said vertical needles in unison, sinkers and dividers, means for operating said sinkers and dividers in timed relation to the operation of said vertical needles, horizontal needles, means for successively operating said horizontal needles individually in timed relation to the operation of said vertical needles, means for inactivating said horizontal needle operating means during operation of said sinkers and dividers with said vertical needles, and means for inactivating said sinker and divider operating means during operation'of said horizontal needles with said vertical needles.

10. In a straight bar knitting machine having vertical needles, means for operating said vertical needles in unison, sinkers and dividers cooperating with said vertical needles, slur cam means for said sinkers, means for reciprocating said slur cam means, a catchbar for said sinkersand dividers, operating means for said catchbar,

horizontal needles, means for successively operating said horizontal needles individually in timed relation to said vertical needles, means for disconnecting said horizontal needles from the operating means therefor during operation of said sinkers and dividers With said vertical 15 2,823,528

needles, and means for disconnecting said slur cam means from said reciprocating means and for inactivating said catchbar operating means during operation of said horizontal needles with said vertical needles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 73,164 Chantrell Jan. 7, 1868 110,479 Lee et al Dec. 27, 1870 2,132,135 Taylor Oct. 4, 1938 2,326,694 Sirmay Aug. 10, 1943 2,718,129 Seiler Q. Sept. 20, 1955 2,821,073 Mehnert Jan; 28, 1958 Weisbecker Feb. 18, 1958 

